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Friday, January 31, 2014

If you follow my business instagram, you'll notice I love Valentine's Day! I know a lot of people think it's just another made up Hallmark holiday, and it's become hugely commercialized with many people having over-inflated expectations, but I've always loved Valentine's Day--especially because I'm a lover of hearts pretty much all year long. It's fun decorating and crafting leading up to the day. Here are a few Valentine themed items I'm loving right now.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Has up and left the building. What old feeling you ask? I haven't talked about it much because there isn't much to talk about since it's completely crazy, but not really irrational. Happens to most women, but shortly after having Mariam (third baby mind you), I was already missing my baby bump. In fact I hesitated when people would ask me if my husband and I would try again for another--perhaps a boy since we have all girls. I would say no "we're done", but it wasn't the truth. However the truth was partly for the wrong reasons.

I loved being pregnant. Sure I had morning sickness, fatigue, aches and pains, worries, a bout of infertility, a miscarriage, but I loved being pregnant! There's nothing like hearing your babies first heartbeat, feeling them move inside of you and then bringing them into the world. Nothing. Of course childbirth isn't always easy on the body and there can be lasting effects, and babies are only babies for a short period of time.

I also felt most beautiful pregnant. I felt healthy, I felt full of life. No trying to constantly gain weight since it came naturally, no feeling scrawny as I sometimes do. I felt the most womanly I could possibly feel. I felt empowered and more head over heels in love with my husband knowing I'm bringing a child of ours into the world.

A couple weeks ago at 14 months postpartum while driving home from the grocery store, I realized I no longer miss my baby bump, I no longer miss being pregnant. This is a good thing. I am happy for this. I am happy with my three and my life. I feel life would be madness for me adding another baby in the next couple of years. However I have not ruled out completely another child--ever. I cannot say what my feelings will be when Layla & Mariam are 5 and 4 and no longer babies, but for now I'm taking it year by year.

Monday, January 27, 2014

I'm a bit behind on blogging, so thought I'd share a few Layla and Mariam outfits from last week and this week.

I'm not big on buying Layla and Mariam matching outfits, but I do love color coordinating them. Babies are only babies for such a small amount of time so they grow out of their clothes so quickly. I love that most of Layla's clothes are getting used again by Mariam.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

I can't say a whole lot of things other than the usual bibs and babies is going on right now, but it's still a lot to keep me busy and not leave much room for anything else. Something that's a little different is having to chauffeur Serena around a lot more due to school activities. She's a lot more involved with activities this year which is great. The downside is strapping two babies in and out of car seats constantly, but it is what it is. This morning I totally dropped Serena off at school in my robe. Yeah, I mean I didn't have to get off the car, but still. I went to sleep after midnight last night after spending a good 3 hours, organizing and cutting out fabric and responding to emails.

I'm in the midst of putting together a wholesale order for an online boutique in Australia and I've got about 7 days to do it--on top of my regular orders. Good news and all.--love a good wholesale order, but I had a momentary "Oh no" moment this morning. A lady I had hired to assist with sewing can no longer help. Another lady I know for back-up has too much of a busy schedule, so what did I do? I called up 1-800-mom and asked the woman who taught me how to sew in the first place to see if she could take time out of her busy schedule and help her daughter. Thankfully she'll be coming this weekend to help me knock them out. However, it looks like I'm back to the drawing board on finding someone again, which sets me back. It's been in the works to release my first few children's wear pieces this spring and then followed by maternity.

It'll happen eventually--and it scares me. It scares me because I'm not going to pretend I know what I'm doing as far as having a clothing line, but then again, I didn't really know what I was doing when I started the business. All I knew is I wanted to create beautiful things. I have a few things I've sketched on paper and one skirt that's been done since last month. Almost every other day, I look at the skirt and sigh because I can't wait for everything else to come together and it's just sitting there. In due time, God willing everything will come together. For now I'm trying to live in the moment with my family and not get too caught up with everything I feel I need to accomplish.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

It seems like the more kids I have the less pictures you'll find with me in them. Oh wait! I know why. They don't let me sleep well at night so that makes one tired looking mom. Last Friday I piled on the concealer and hairspray and took some pictures with the littlest ones. I want to the girls to have plenty of pictures of their mom holding them to look back upon. Life goes by so fast. Too fast.

Friday, January 17, 2014

I call mid January through mid Februrary heart season. It's a fun time to indulge in my love of hearts and do fun valentine themed crafts with the girls. I couldn't find the links online, but the glitter clothespins and stickers were bought from Micheal's recently and the heart string lights are from Target in their value section. The heart printable was found online.

Monday, January 13, 2014

I hope everyone had an awesome weekend, just want to show a few new things going on in the shop. :)

With Valentine's Day around the corner there are some lovely sweetheart bibs available that are stocked year round, but I recently added back in the red one for a limited time. Currently there's a sale going one all week. 35% off all sweetheart bibs.

Friday, January 10, 2014

For New Year's Eve last week I wanted a fun festive nail polish, so I settled on Essie's "good as gold" polish. It looks darker in the bottle but it goes on a perfect shiny gold. I haven't painted my nail tips only since high school, but I thought I'd give it a try on New Year's Eve. I have a steady hand so I applied it with just the nail brush, but an easy way to do it is by applying a thin strip of tape right under the tip of your nail and then painting. Have a q-tip dipped in nail polish remover for easy clean ups if you stray too far.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

With light pink, tan and goldish/champagne colors being primary in the nursery, I've had my eye on a gold foil heart print and me being the DIY type of gal, I recently made my own...sort of.

I started off by buying both shiny gold cardstock and gold glitter cardstock since I couldn't decide which one I wanted to use. They were both under $2 at Micheal's. I kept my eye out for an at least 8x10 white frame and finally found a cute one at Target for $12.99. Later on I noticed that the quality of the frame is not that great, and the glass slipped down a little (need to fix that), but I guess you get what you pay for. Once I got home I immediately got to work by free handing a heart with my pencil on the back of the gold paper. Then I just cut it out with my scissors and placed it on a sheet of paper holding it in place by a small piece of rolled up tape on the back. I aligned it so the heart was in the middle of the frame and then put the back on and hung it up. Easy peasy! If your drawing skills aren't that great, you could always download a heart or whatever shape you like, print and trace.

Monday, January 6, 2014

I never used to be a big fan of costume jewelry because my husband has me spoiled by classic pieces he's bought me throughout our marriage, but lately I've been changing my tune. I've always liked statement bracelets and this J.Crew factory cuff I bought a few weeks ago doesn't disappoint. Unfortunately, it's not listed on their website anymore, but you may be able to find it in stores.

Friday, January 3, 2014

"Be wise enough to let go when you should and strong enough to hold on when you must"

I liked this quote because my word for 2014 is "letting go". Letting go of everything needing to be perfect. I've been a neat and organized person since I was little and I'm highly competitive. It drives me...and it suffocates me. I've said before that having two babies so close in age has been one of the hardest things I've been through, especially because the baby was colicky and now at almost 14 months she is still very high needs and sensitive. Having three girls and trying to be a perfect wife with a clean house and dinner on the table...and maintaining a business mainly at night. It can get exhausting, but I love it. I manage because I'm excellent at planning and multi-tasking, however I've now let my obsession with cleanliness and order get in the way quite a few times of spending some quality time with the girls during the day. I'm constantly picking up after them! They are little hurricanes let me tell you, but I'm going to be better about just letting it go.

Linking up to the Make it count 2014 link up. You should too! I don't always participate in link-ups, but I'm really glad I did with this one, because it made me reflect on something I've been wanting to be better about.

Thursday, January 2, 2014

In about 2 minutes it's going to be January 2nd 2014. I should really be in bed considering I didn't go to sleep until 3:15am last night. Yawn...so sleepy, but I was up late anyways tonight working on orders. I thought I'd pop in with some pictures of the girls. I made a cute little glitter banner that I wanted them to take pictures with new years eve, but have you tried getting three girls to sit still and smile? It's not easy! This is pretty much the best of the bunch.

When I went to Target this past weekend, I couldn't pass up that adorable gold sweater and those maryjanes. The best part is that they are currently on clearance. I also bought a matching headband. The gold polka dot bib is a recent addition to the shop and they are selling quick! They are quite gorgeous if I do say so myself.;)

Welcome

Hi! I’m Francis. Wife and mother to four beautiful girls. Aside from being a stay at home mom, I’m also the founder and designer of FHJ Baby. I guess you can say my plate is full, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!